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Tools to Organize & Mobilize
FREELANCE ISN’T FREE
ToOlkit
Did you know nearly8 in 10 freelancersstruggle with nonpayment?Freelancers across all industries encounter clients who go radio silent, promise
that “the check is in the mail,” and take over 90 days to pay. But it doesn’t have to
be this way.
On November 16, 2016, the first Freelance Isn’t Free act was signed into law in
New York City. Led by members of Freelancers Union and a coalition of allies,
the #FreelanceIsntFree campaign demonstrated that independent workers are a
powerful constituency capable of organizing for change.
Freelancers signed petitions, shared their stories, attended meetings and rallies,
testified at hearings, and pressured their legislators. Their efforts led to the
unanimous passage of the Freelance Isn’t Free law because it’s actually a really
simple issue: Everybody should get paid for the work they do.
Our goal is to get freelancers everywhere paid on time and in full. This toolkit is
designed to help Freelancers Union members across the United States:
• Understand the issue of nonpayment
• Learn about the Freelance Isn’t Free law
• Start organizing your community for change
Together, we can build a movement to ensure freelancers everywhere are
protected from nonpayment.
Get involved. Take action.
End Nonpayment.
Freelancers Strike Back!Join the fight against nonpayment.
Take action: A community leader’s guide
Passionate about ending nonpayment for freelancers and want to be a part of
the #FreelanceIsntFree movement? This toolkit provides the information and
resources you need to start building a local campaign. Follow the steps below to
help grow the movement and become a leader.
As you begin to organize, Freelancers Union will work with you to build a
winning strategy!
1. Sign the petition
Go to www.FreelanceIsntFree.org and express your support for the movement.
2. Share the campaign with your network
Post about the issue on social media using the #FreelanceIsntFree hashtag and
encourage others to join the movement!
Some examples:
Freelancers Strike Back! Nearly 8 in 10 freelancers have trouble getting paid
what they’re owed. Sign the petition to end nonpayment #FreelanceIsntFree
www.FreelanceIsntFree.org
Nearly 8 in 10 freelancers (like me!) struggle to collect what they’re earned from
clients. #FreelanceIsntFree www.FreelanceIsntFree.org
Have a client that won’t pay? You’re not alone. #FreelanceIsntFree
I support freelancers getting paid www.FreelanceIsntFree.org
Here are some images you can use to post to social media.
3. Tell your story
Have you had issues with nonpayment? You’re not alone—share your story here.
Member stories are a powerful way we can bring attention to the issue by showing
the real and significant impact nonpayment has on freelancer’s lives. They help us
identify where we have the best chance of building a successful local campaign.
DOWNLOAD IMAGE DOWNLOAD IMAGE
4. Organize your community
The best way to kickstart a movement in your area? Build a local network.
Here’s how:
• Check to see if there’s a Freelancers Union SPARK (our monthly member
meetup) in your area. Reach out to the event organizers and attend a meetup.
Offer to volunteer as a Community Leader for the group.
• No SPARK in your area? Start your own! It’s a great way to build your network,
meet other like-minded freelancers, and organize your community for
change.
• Remember, don’t go it alone! As you begin to connect with your community,
find other volunteers who can help, build a contact list of local freelancers,
and forge connections with other community leaders and organizations who
support the cause.
• Print and share the handouts from this guide for events and meetings:
Freelancers Strike Back and Freelancers Who Get Paid. Use these to help raise
awareness and for recruitment.
5. Identify yourself as a leader to Freelancers Union
Email [email protected] to let us know you’re interested in
being involved in a campaign. We’ll help you get connected to our member
community to organize locally and shine a national spotlight on the need to
protect freelance work.
Together we can build a powerful constituency capable of creating change!
Freelancers Strike Back!Join the fight against nonpayment.
Freelancers are over a third of the workforce
• 57.3 million Americans freelance—including nearly half (47%) of millennials
• At the current growth rate, the majority of the US workforce will freelance within a decade
• Freelancers Union represents over 375,000 freelancers in all industries and occupations
The impact of nonpayment is real and alarming
Freelancers struggle to get by when they are cheated out of payment. In the face of nonpayment, freelancers reported they took the following actions:
• 44% relied on credit cards
• 25% borrowed money from family and friends
• 17% took a job outside of their field
• 7% received government assistance
• 7% sold a car or other item
Nonpayment affects freelancers across all industries and types of work
Learn more about the issue and how to support the #FreelanceIsntFree campaign at
www.freelancersunion.org/freelance-isnt-free
Take Action Handout!
Nonpayment is an epidemic in the freelance community
• Despite the tremendous growth of this workforce...
• 71% of freelancers face nonpayment or late payment
• Freelancers who are stiffed lose an average of $5,968 each year
• Most freelance engagements aren’t protected by clear, written contracts. Only about a quarter (28%) of freelancers say they always use a contract
0%
*% of freelancers reporting issues getting paid on time
82%CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ADVERTISING & MARKETING 76%
MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS 79%
COMMUNICATIONS 77%
FASHION 80%
MANUFACTURING & MAKER 78%
PHOTOGRAPHY & VISUAL ARTS 72%
FILM & TV 79%The majority of workers will freelance by 2027
2017 2027
86.5M
FREELANCER
NON-FREELANCER
83.4MProjected workforce size
102.7M
57.3M
Freelancers Who Get PaidSounds pretty basic to us.
About the Freelance Isn’t Free law
This groundbreaking law was a victory for
Freelances Union members in New York
City and serves as a blueprint for other
cities and states. Enacted in 2017, the law
provides new protections for freelance
work, including:
• Mandatory contracts: Clients must use
a contract when hiring a freelancer for
over $800 of work and they can face
fines if they refuse to provide one.
• 30-day payment terms: Unless
otherwise specified in a contract,
clients must pay freelancers within 30
days of work completion.
• Payment agreement protections:
Clients cannot require that freelancers
accept less than they’re owed in
exchange for timely payment.
• Anti-retaliation: Clients cannot
retaliate against a freelancer for
pursuing payment.
• Legal assistance: A city agency will
investigate, may try to collect on the
freelancer’s behalf, and will provide
court navigation services if needed.
• Double damages: Freelancers can
collect double damages and attorney’s
fees in court, and repeat offenders can
face penalties of up to $25,000.
Join the #FreelanceIsntFree movement
Let’s work together to bring Freelance Isn’t
Free protections to all freelancers. Here are
a few actions you can take:
1. Sign the petition: Go to
www.FreelanceIsntFree.org to
express your support—and share the
campaign on social media using the
#FreelanceIsntFree hashtag!
2. Share your story: Have you had an
issue with nonpayment? Share your
experience on our blog and help
us bring attention to the challenges
freelancers face.
3. Organize your community: Join a
Freelancers Union SPARK meetup or
organize your own to start building
a local network of freelancers to
advocate for the law.
Learn more about the issue and how to support the #FreelanceIsntFree campaign at
www.freelancersunion.org/freelance-isnt-free
Take Action Handout!